Holiday travelers enjoy low gas prices, but rise is expected

Staff report

Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 11:29 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 11:29 a.m.

Gas prices fell across the Southeast during the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, but drivers still paid an average of 15 cents more for a gallon of regular gasoline than they did during last year's Independence Day holiday.

Average price for a gallon of regular gasoline

Lower gas prices are not expected to last much longer after a barrel of oil closed at $103 on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Friday, the highest since May of 2012.

"Motorists should enjoy the lower gas prices while they last, because all signs point to higher pump prices in the coming weeks," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman with The Auto Club Group.

In Ocala, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.40, down 3 cents from a week ago, according to the website www.GasBuddy.com.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline on Monday was $3.47, 2 cents less than last week. Florida's average of $3.43 also fell 2 cents, and Georgia's average of $3.34 both fell 3 cents from last week.

<p>Gas prices fell across the Southeast during the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, but drivers still paid an average of 15 cents more for a gallon of regular gasoline than they did during last year's Independence Day holiday.</p><p>Lower gas prices are not expected to last much longer after a barrel of oil closed at $103 on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Friday, the highest since May of 2012.</p><p>"Motorists should enjoy the lower gas prices while they last, because all signs point to higher pump prices in the coming weeks," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman with The Auto Club Group.</p><p>In Ocala, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.40, down 3 cents from a week ago, according to the website www.GasBuddy.com.</p><p>The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline on Monday was $3.47, 2 cents less than last week. Florida's average of $3.43 also fell 2 cents, and Georgia's average of $3.34 both fell 3 cents from last week.</p>